Acne

Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, $7.99, 6 ounces It lived up to its billing. The foam means you don't need to use much to instantly feel fresh, clean and smooth. And it wasn't as harsh as some products can be. Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer, $16.49, 4 ounces The pluses: It moisturized without creating an oily T-zone and meshed well with mineral makeup. The negative: no sunscreen. Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser, $9.99, 4 ounces It cleaned but made the skin feel a bit too dry. And the aroma resembles orange-flavored cough syrup -- kind of off-putting. Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Pore Refining Scrub, $9.99, 5 ounces Gentler than some exfoliants we've tried. It seemed to leave a bit of residue on the skin, so it might be best for night use only. Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer, $6.49, 4 ounces The salicylic acid in the formula was a plus. After using this moisturizer along with a wash appropriate for her skin type, the tester said that her pores cleared up and that she experienced no breakouts. Another plus: It seemed less drying than some other products. On the downside: no sunscreen. Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-aging Salicylic Acid Acne Cream Cleanser Plus Blemish Control, $12.94, 5 ounces An all-around hit: It left skin feeling smooth, with a refined texture and a nice glow. The flip-cap made it easy to use. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle / Anti-Blemish Cream, $14.99, 1 ounce Great texture, and it immediately softened skin. Makeup glided on smoothly over it. This could be a good product for someone with mild acne also looking to prevent wrinkles. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, $7.99, 6 ounces Aloe made skin feel pleasingly soft, and this wash worked well on combination skin, cleansing the oily parts without clogging pores and without drying out other areas of the face. The smell was notably strong, which could be a plus or minus depending on the user's preferences.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, $7.99, 6 ounces It lived up to its billing. The foam means you don't need to use much to instantly feel fresh, clean and smooth. And it wasn't as harsh as some products can be. Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer, $16.49, 4 ounces The pluses: It moisturized without creating an oily T-zone and meshed well with mineral makeup. The negative: no sunscreen. Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser, $9.99, 4 ounces It cleaned but made the skin feel a bit too dry. And the aroma resembles orange-flavored cough syrup -- kind of off-putting. Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Pore Refining Scrub, $9.99, 5 ounces Gentler than some exfoliants we've tried. It seemed to leave a bit of residue on the skin, so it might be best for night use only. Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer, $6.49, 4 ounces The salicylic acid in the formula was a plus. After using this moisturizer along with a wash appropriate for her skin type, the tester said that her pores cleared up and that she experienced no breakouts. Another plus: It seemed less drying than some other products. On the downside: no sunscreen. Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-aging Salicylic Acid Acne Cream Cleanser Plus Blemish Control, $12.94, 5 ounces An all-around hit: It left skin feeling smooth, with a refined texture and a nice glow. The flip-cap made it easy to use. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle / Anti-Blemish Cream, $14.99, 1 ounce Great texture, and it immediately softened skin. Makeup glided on smoothly over it. This could be a good product for someone with mild acne also looking to prevent wrinkles. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, $7.99, 6 ounces Aloe made skin feel pleasingly soft, and this wash worked well on combination skin, cleansing the oily parts without clogging pores and without drying out other areas of the face. The smell was notably strong, which could be a plus or minus depending on the user's preferences. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, $7.99, 6 ounces It lived up to its billing. The foam means you don't need to use much to instantly feel fresh, clean and smooth. And it wasn't as harsh as some products can be. Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer, $16.49, 4 ounces The pluses: It moisturized without creating an oily T-zone and meshed well with mineral makeup. The negative: no sunscreen. Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser, $9.99, 4 ounces It cleaned but made the skin feel a bit too dry. And the aroma resembles orange-flavored cough syrup -- kind of off-putting. Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Pore Refining Scrub, $9.99, 5 ounces Gentler than some exfoliants we've tried. It seemed to leave a bit of residue on the skin, so it might be best for night use only. Clean & Clear Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer, $6.49, 4 ounces The salicylic acid in the formula was a plus. After using this moisturizer along with a wash appropriate for her skin type, the tester said that her pores cleared up and that she experienced no breakouts. Another plus: It seemed less drying than some other products. On the downside: no sunscreen. Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-aging Salicylic Acid Acne Cream Cleanser Plus Blemish Control, $12.94, 5 ounces An all-around hit: It left skin feeling smooth, with a refined texture and a nice glow. The flip-cap made it easy to use. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle / Anti-Blemish Cream, $14.99, 1 ounce Great texture, and it immediately softened skin. Makeup glided on smoothly over it. This could be a good product for someone with mild acne also looking to prevent wrinkles. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, $7.99, 6 ounces Aloe made skin feel pleasingly soft, and this wash worked well on combination skin, cleansing the oily parts without clogging pores and without drying out other areas of the face. The smell was notably strong, which could be a plus or minus depending on the user's preferences.